The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-28
FERRY FIRED upon.
Attempt to Assassinate the Ex-
Premier of France.
Shot at Thrice in the Chamber Of
Deputies and Wounded.

II. Jules Ferry, ex-Premier of France, was
fired at three times Saturday afternoon by o
man in the lobby Of the French Chamber OF
Deputies. There was great excitement in and
around the government buildings. NJ. Ferry
was shot by man who gave his name as
Aubertin. The assassin appeared in the hall
Of the Chamber Of Deputies and asked to see
both NJ. Ferry and N. Goblet. M. Goblet did
not respond to Aubertin's request for an in
terview, but NJ. Ferry did, and on his ap-
pearance Aubertin drew revolver and fired
three times at him.
The would-be assassin is ffty-two years
old, with short, wiry, grizzly blonde hair and
beard. His surname is Herckhelm: he Is
tie son of a small ironmaster near Metz, who
failing in business hanged himself. Auber-
tin has been all over Europe and is
Jack Of all trades, discovering singu-
lar adaptability to new situations and
elasticity under vicissitudes. He has patented
many inventions. published schoolbooks, been
music-hall bard, a maker Of stained glass
panes, man-milliner, photographer, and
lately profess onal blhckmailer.
His murderous attempt was made at P.
II. Aubertin got hold Of a card Of Academi-
clan Herve, and sent it to NJ. Ferry with
written in his own hand-a few Introductory
words, as if from NJ Herve. Herewith was
slip Of paper on which was:
"a Lorrainer desires short conversation
and begs you will come to speak with him.
NJ. Ferry was walking in the lobby with
two friends when the message was brought to
him Quitting them, he went to the round
lobby where the stranger awaited him. NJ.
Ferry, who has been the most unpopular man
in France since the Tonquin mishaps, has not
for many weeks dared to venture into the
public lobby, but, by arrangement with the
questors, meets acquaintance in the rotunda.
Going thither he met NJ Revillon, who said:
"Youre''sought for yonder."
Thereupon Matthew, the head usher, ran up
to NJ. Ferry, warning him Of sinister pre-
sentiment he had about the stranger. Point
ing to the round-room Matthew said: Don't
20 there but was callel off before he could
say more. NJ. Ferry, unheeding, proceeded
and entered the roundroom. Aubertln
stepped forward. saying: ,.
"Iam the person wanting you: l am come
to show you letter and pamphlet"
He proceeded to the chair in the corner, on
which lay PORTFOLIO and fumbled therein
for sealed letter, which he handed to the
statesman. NJ. Ferry went to a window
and was opening the envelope when the
stranger drew nigh to him and
twice fred aslant in the heart region. Rapidly
perceiving that the wound had not been
mortal or even disabling-the weapon being
the forehead near the temple, but the ball
glanced off without fracturing the bone.
Ere the fourth shot could be discharged the
crowd from the greet lobby came rushing in.
The assassin was colared and fearfully
beaten and mauled. He seemed nothing
daunted and cried out to his assailants:
81 am Lorrainerl I have avenged Lor-
raine and am happy"
NJ. Ferry blanched like a corpse, reeling
aiy11od
II am not seriously injured" and staggered
forward like one drunken. He was kept
from fallen by four colleagues. A medl-
cal deputy took off his clothes to in
vestigate the wounds and found them slight
in character. He was conveyed to hospital.
The following day his wounds were somewhat
worse.
the widest excitement throughout France;
and from being the most unpopular man in
the country he suddenly became hero in
the eyes of thousands of Frenchmen.
Jules Ferry was born in 1882 at st. Die,
France. He was very poor, and had great
struggles to acquire an education: He went
litical career. He joined band Of young
lawyers, and aided the Deputies to maintain
a constant opposition upon the Empire. In
1868 he published pamphlet called 1.-The
Electoral Contest" which made him famous
and influential.
In 1870, after the proclamation Of the third
Republic N. Ferry was appointed one of the
members of the new Government. He also
became Mayor of Paris. Had he been caught
during the Commune he would have been
executed.
After brief career at Athens he broke the
Cabinet and later was made Prime Minister
by President Grevy Recently he was for
midable candidate for the Presidency, but
was defeated by Sadi- -Carnot